$20 Million in Grants Made to Soil Health InititivesUSAgNet - 12/06/2017

A new grant will support research and education that accelerate adoption of soil health practices on farms nationwide, benefiting farmers, consumers and the environment alike. The Soil Health Partnership, an initiative of the National Corn Growers
Association, is one of three recipients of the grant and matching funds, which total nearly $20 million - one of the largest ever public/private investments in soil health.

The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, a nonprofit established through bipartisan support in the 2014 Farm Bill, announced a $9.4 million grant on Dec. 5 - World Soil Day. The recipients are the Soil Health Institute, the Soil Health
Partnership and The Nature Conservancy. It will be matched by General Mills, Jeremy and Hannelore Grantham Environmental Trust, Midwest Row Crop Collaborative, Monsanto, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, The Samuel Roberts Noble
Foundation, Walmart Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and individual donors for the total investment of nearly $20 million.

Soil health is a critical component of a productive and sustainable agricultural system. Farming practices that improve soil health can increase profitability while protecting natural resources like air and water for communities.

"We're pleased to harness the power of collaboration by supporting three leading organizations in this space for the long-term benefit of our nation's farmers and food system," said Sally Rockey, executive director of FFAR.

Collaborators will take an integrated, three-pronged approach. The Soil Health Institute will develop and test soil health measurements; the Soil Health Partnership will implement and evaluate soil health promoting practices on working farms; and The
Nature Conservancy will work with non-operator landowners to encourage use of science-based soil health practices. The partners believe significant engagement with farmers and landowners will catalyze greater adoption of soil health-promoting
practices that benefit productivity, farmer livelihoods, and the environment.